The Gift of Personal Stories
Personal Stories are the Greatest Gift
The next time you need a gift for a family member, think about giving a gift that will last generation after generation - Personal Stories. Have your family members write their stories before it's too late. The first question is always "How do I write a memoir?" Now you'll have the answer!
Whether you give the book to your parents or grandparents to complete or get the book for yourself, complete it, and present it to your family, you are preserving personal history and true life stories. Your life story should be written and shared.
We all have stories to tell -- mistakes, triumphs, disappointments and all -- your parents and grandparents should be encouraged to write these stories before they are lost forever. If you are a parent or grandparent, don't you want to share your story so future generations can get to know you through your own words and voice?
What better gift to give or receive than your life story?
The Story of a Lifetime - A Keepsake of Personal Memoirs
My brother recently presented each of our parents with this book. They met a couple of years out of high school while both in the US Navy. In their 51 years together, they have had travel adventures, 4 kids, numerous pets, disappointments, victories, loss and love. They are the proud grandparents to 9 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. They're life experiences and stories should be saved and treasured -- and will be.
The book offers writing prompts that will stir memories and recollections. You don't have to be a writer, teacher or have any special skills. The book will help you along the way.
I think this is truly the best gift they have ever received and that our family will receive, in turn.
Family -
As I grow older I find myself musing more and more about my grandparents and parents. What was it like to grow up during WWI, be a coal miner and a WWII vet? What were sockhops really like? What were their dreams and goals for their lives and did they achieve them. These questions will never be answered by my grandparents, but my parents are writing it down for us and future generations. It will not be lost...
Writing Life Stories
Personal Stories to Share
It can be intimidating knowing where to begin. There are a million stories, experiences and memories floating around in your head. Where and how to start is a daunting thought.
Whether you are filling out the book or want your parents or grandparents to fill it out, it needs to be started -- today! This book helps your organize and relate your stories. You don't have to go in order though... read through the prompts and write what comes to mind first. Each chapter is designed to trigger your memories and recollections so you can begin writing your life story.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Family Background
Childhood
Teen Years
Higher Education
Military
Independence, Work and Career
Love and Marriage
Parenthood
Middle Years
Golden Years
Ethnic Heritage
Regrets, Mistakes, Milestones, and Turning Points
Beliefs, Values, Lessons and Advice
How Life Has Changed
Now
Favorites
Special Questions
Continuation Pages
Family Tree
Favorite Photographs and Mementos
This book will guide you through chronicling your life as you go or inspire grandparents to remember their past and share it. Either way, the writing prompts will have the recipient their way!
Image Credit: MorgueFile.com
"...if you want to know any more about my early life or stories about me, don't wait too long to ask."
~Wednesday_Elf's Grandmother
Journals for Sharing your Personal Stories
Entice Family Members to Share their Personal Stories - Benefits to Giving
What are the benefits to giving someone the journal?
- Perfect for any occasion - Christmas, Wedding, Father's Day, Mother's Day, Grandparent's Day, Graduation, Birthdays, etc...
- Enables the telling of one's life story and philosophies with ease
- Passes along a legacy of wisdom and knowledge
- Preserves special memories and appreciation for family history
- Enhances personal growth and strengthen bonds with loved ones
Understanding each other is a basic need of humans. What better way than to read the words of each other -- our own words.
Give the Book of Personal Stories - It will give back...
Who do you want to get to know? Your mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, Aunt, Uncle, etc... This book is a wonderful way to encourage them and let them know you care. What better gift than one given with love?
Memoir Writing Resources - Start Writing -- Today!
- How to Write Memoir - Memoir Examples
Memoir examples is one way to learn about the genre but it can also open a world of questions for aspiring memoir writers like "What is the definition of memoir?" - Memoir How To | Fiction Writing Tips
This memoir how to explains using the fiction writing tip of "Showing" to engage your reader. Facts are necessary in memoir but the packaging decides if it's worth reading. - Memoir How To | Story Elements
This memoir how to will break down story elements that should be included in your writing. Memoir examples and story suggestions will help get you started as a memoirist. - Memoir Writing | Your Life is Worth Writing | Life Story Writing
The memoir genre, being only a slice of your life, has a good chance for ending happily. I guess I have always been drawn to the -- obstacle enters -- deal with obstacle -- overcome
Related
Would you give or like to receive this gift? - Anyone is welcome to comment.
This is a wonderful idea. I'd imagine writing is much harder to do than one would think - but hopefully once you start things flow a bit more.
This is such a great idea. I would always quiz my grandmothers about what it was like when they were a little girl. Sometimes they would tell me. Most of the time they would just chuckle and say that I would probably enjoy playing outside than to listen to them. NOT but I did get some stories from them.
We are on the same wavelength here. My lens on this topic is Give a Gift That Lasts a Lifetime . Well done!
Ohh, this fits perfectly on my November Blessings lens. Angel blessed and featured :)
- Author
@JenaleeMortensen: You said it very well! It's the best gift for the long run! Thanks for visiting and commenting!
You are right that giving the gift of your life story or another family member's life story is one of the greatest gifts you can give. It may not be the most exciting gift at the time it is received, but it will become the most valued gift especially when family members are no longer here.
I would love to have one for my family!!! My grandmother especially.
What a wonderful way to chronicle the love and life of a family! Being an adopted child, I know how important this gift would be. I know nothing of my birth parents. My parents are all gone now. This would be great for me to do for my daughter. Her lineage starts with me.
- Author
@Wednesday-Elf: You are so right Pat! There are so many things I want to ask my grandparents now, but they are gone. My kids are really bugging my parents to continue working on their books so they can read them. Glad they realize how important grandparents are!
Always great to see you!
This looks to be a terrific book! I began writing on Squidoo originally for the specific purpose of sharing some of my personal stories for my children to read after their dad died. To have a book where I can compile them all together would be wonderful! And the questions in this book sound like they would 'prompt' memories I wouldn't have thought to include! I am definitely checking this out.
I remember many, many years ago when my grandmother said to me "if you want to know any more about my early life or stories about me, don't wait too long to ask". Well, she was 80 years old at the time and I thought I knew all her stories told by her and my family. Today 30 years after she's been gone, I often think of things I wish I'd asked about. Family memories and stories may not appear to have any special significance when you are in your teens and twenties -- but a different perspective is placed on those memories when you near the age your grandparent was then! Preserving family memories and personal stories WILL become important to you at some point down the road. Thank you for telling me about this book!
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